Eluama community, located in Isikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, has long suffered from a lack of social amenities such as good roads, clean water, and adequate healthcare facilities. Faced with these challenges, Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation emerged as a beacon of hope, transforming lives and providing essential services to the people.
Since its formal establishment in 2015, Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation, spearheaded by foremost philanthropist, Sir Emmanuel Mbaka, has been actively engaged in empowering youths, widows, and indigent members of the community through various philanthropic initiatives. The foundation’s projects include the construction of schools, churches, roads, and numerous other community development programs.
Providing Support For The Vulnerable
Speaking on the foundation’s mission, the Chief Operating Officer, Rev. Sister Maria Emenikeh, highlighted its core objective of supporting the poor and vulnerable members of society.
“The Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation takes care of the poor, the less privileged, orphans, widows, and other vulnerable groups in our society,” she explained.
“When they come with their requests, it is my duty to organise and forward them to our corporate head office in Abuja. The requests are reviewed to ensure they align with our mission and vision. Once confirmed, the chairman gives his approval, and their needs are met.”
Over the years, the foundation has made remarkable strides, including building houses for widows and sponsoring countless students who could not afford school fees, covering education from primary school to the university level.
A Unique Healthcare Initiative: The Free Eluama Clinic
Among its many achievements, one of the most notable is the establishment of a free clinic, which has become a lifeline for the people of Eluama and neighbouring communities. The Eluama Clinic, managed by the foundation, offers free healthcare services to patients, providing everything from consultations to medication at no cost.
Rev. Sister Agatha Anaene, the Matron of the Eluama Clinic, spoke passionately about the impact of the facility.
“This healthcare center is a free medical service, sponsored entirely by the Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation for the people of Eluama-Isikwuato. We have doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and lab technicians on staff. Patients come in the morning, and from admission to discharge, everything is free, including consultations, treatments, and medications. Even those admitted to the wards receive free care—every medication, every service, from start to finish.”
The clinic, which started five years ago at the foundation’s building, quickly gained popularity as it filled a critical gap in the community’s healthcare needs.
“We see an average of 160-200 patients daily, though the number varies because it’s a free service, attracting people from surrounding towns,” she added.
Meeting The Growing Demand For Healthcare
To accommodate the growing number of patients, the foundation had to relocate and renovate the old healthcare center in Eluama. Today, the clinic stands as a testament to the foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of the community members.
Dr. Agbgara Iheanyi Mbaka, the Medical Officer at the Eluama Clinic, reflected on the impact of the free medical services provided by the foundation.
“For the past five years, we’ve been running free medical services. It’s been a wonderful experience because we often treat people in dire need of medical care but who can’t afford it. The gratitude and blessings we receive are immense, and we always remember that someone is making this possible behind the scenes.”
Despite the challenges of running a free clinic, Dr. Mbaka noted that the clinic is a very busy place, with an average of 150-200 patients seen daily. He credited the foundation’s partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for providing additional medical personnel to support the clinic.
“The sisters are in charge of liaising with the NYSC, which sends us doctors, pharmacists, and lab scientists,” he said.
“I oversee the operations to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
A Beacon Of Hope
The Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation has become a source of hope and relief for the people of Eluama and its environs. With its unwavering commitment to social welfare, education, and healthcare, the foundation continues to bridge the gap in essential services, setting an example of how targeted philanthropic efforts can transform communities.
